Blade quality monitor

Abstract

A blade quality monitor for use with cutter reels having specifically identifiable blades utilize a sensor to detect the position of a physical anomaly on the reel. Additional sensors sense the force at the interface between the cutter reel, the material wrapped thereon and the associated pressure roller. The position of the physical anomaly is correlated with the sensed force to determine the magnitude thereof at each blade which is indicative of the condition of the blade with respect to sharpness or intactness.

We claim: 
     
       1. In an apparatus for cutting fibers into shorter lengths wherein fibers are urged between the blades of a rotating reel assembly and a pressure roller, a reel for supporting said blades including means for identifying each blade relative to a fixed reference point on said reel assembly and sensor means for identifying said fixed reference point as said reel rotates wherein each blade is identifiable during high-speed operation of said rotating reel assembly. 
     
     
       2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for identifying each blade comprises a visually perceptible symbol affixed to the reel proximal each blade and associated therewith. 
     
     
       3. The structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said means for identifying said fixed reference point comprises a sensor for detecting a physically perceptible discontinuity of said reel at said reference point. 
     
     
       4. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for identifying said fixed reference point comprises a sensor for detecting a physically perceptible discontinuity of said reel at said reference point. 
     
     
       5. In a cutter reel assembly having a plurality of blades mounted therein for cutting fibers into shorter lengths, a pressure roller for urging said fibers against said blades; means for sensing the angular position of said assembly; means for sensing the force applied to said pressure roller by the fiber on said reel assembly; means for providing an indication of the condition of the blades in said cutter reel assembly as a function of said angular position and the force applied to said pressure roller. 
     
     
       6. The structure as defined in claim 5 further comprising means for calibrating initial conditions of said means for sensing the force applied. 
     
     
       7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for calibrating comprises a sensor cooperatively positioned relative to said pressure roller to generate a signal responsive to the disengagement of said pressure roller from said fibers. 
     
     
       8. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for sensing the angular position of said reel assembly comprises a sensor for detecting a physical anomaly at a specified location on said reel assembly and said reel assembly includes visible means for identifying each blade position relative to said physical anomaly. 
     
     
       9. The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said physical anomaly is a variation in the reflectivity of light of said reel assembly at a specified position. 
     
     
       10. The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said physical anomaly is a magnetic variation in a defined region of said reel assembly. 
     
     
       11. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for sensing the force applied to said pressure roller comprises a base structure supporting said pressure roller and having a mass substantially greater than said pressure roller, with said base structure cooperatively mounted to move said pressure roller between a fiber engaging position and a non-fiber engaging position; at least one sensor for sensing the force exerted on said base structure by said pressure roller. 
     
     
       12. The structure as defined in claim 11 further comprising a yoke member movably mounted to said base structure and supporting said pressure roller such that forces applied to said pressure roller are transmitted to said sensor by said yoke. 
     
     
       13. The structure as defined in claim 12 wherein said yoke supports said pressure roller on an axle passing through the center of rotation thereof and wherein said forces applied to the pressure roller are detected at each end of said axle by said sensor. 
     
     
       14. The structure as defined in claim 11 wherein said sensors are resiliently mounted to prevent damage thereto by excessive force exerted by said pressure roller. 
     
     
       15. The structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said means for providing an indication of the condition of said blades comprises a programmable computer having input from said means for sensing the angular position of said assembly and from means for sensing the force applied to said pressure roller, with said computer being programmed to manipulate the output of said position sensing means to identify each blade in said reel assembly as it passes said pressure roller and to assign to each blade a value based on the output of said force sensing means as said identified blade passes said pressure roller; and means cooperatively connected to said computer for displaying the value assigned to each blade. 
     
     
       16. The structure as defined in claim 15 wherein said means for displaying comprises a cathode ray tube.